Availability of emergency hospital services for young child on Naxos

https://naxoshospital.gov.gr/?page_id=21

https://naxosmedical.com/en/

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=naxos+hospital&ia=web

No personal experience but a simple search brought the above results.

Probably a lot more medical help in Naxos than at 35000 feet over the Atlantic

I know this isn't what you are asking, but will the young family be buying medical travel insurance? Here's why I ask because you mentioned Paris. My husband injured his foot in Paris two years ago, but it became evident that we needed medical care as soon as we left Paris and arrived in Rennes which is a relatively decent size city. We were sent to 3 different medical facilities including some huge medical complex equivalent to a big USA city hospital facility and were still turned away and redirected. It was stressful and overwhelming and though we had international travel insurance, we weren't thinking clearly and we could have probably called them to see if there was an option they could suggest. (Not that there's any guarantee, even though that's part of the travel medical insurance sell.) The relief we felt when we found the appropriate treating facility I will not forget. We simply didn't understand the French medical system.

Our situation was urgent not emergency, so I can't imagine the stress of an asthma emergency with your little granddaughter. So I guess I'm saying it's great to do more than know the name of the hospital. A little understanding/research of the Greek medical system before you go and know if it's where the appropriate treatment would be if a great idea. Sounds like that's what you are doing and I say good!!!

There are some kinds of insurance that will guide you to medical help if you ring them. The students and staff we send overseas are all covered by the university's insurance but are registered with International SOS, which can source medical help (like a local English-speaking doctor) or will do welfare checks if there is for example, a terrorist incident in the city they are visiting. ISOS might be a little more high-powered than most private travellers would need but the principle is the same with some kinds of insurance, you should be able to explain the situation to the insurance company and they should source help for you.

Lavandula

We’ve only ever needed minor medical care on the Greek islands, and it was always handled at local pharmacies where the staff is very competent.

Joe32 shared the links to the two hospitals on Naxos. The first is the public hospital, which has an emergency service, and the other is private. Both are located in Chora.

In the link below, I’ve mapped out the walking route between Kalergis Studios and these two facilities:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Yab6RxqHpaxPJvmZA

It’s a good idea to scout out the location once you get there.

Outside of regular business hours, pharmacies operate on a rotating on-call system. The name of the on-call pharmacy will be posted at the entrance of every pharmacy. One of the pharmacies in Naxos is located right next to the private facility, "Naxos Medical."

Since Naxos has a population of about 20,000, I assume there are a few hundred children under the age of 5, and some of them surely require medical treatment. So, managing an asthma issue should be handled just like it is for any local child on Naxos.

Of course, it’s an island, so in the event of a severe emergency that can't be treated on Naxos, patients are transferred to Syros or Athens via helicopter or a dedicated boat.

Make sure to bring your granddaughter's medical records. The medical staff speaks English.

As a European, I have a European Health Insurance Card which gives me access to free care at public healthcare facilities in Greece, but as previously suggested, you should definitely look into getting appropriate travel medical insurance.

I will just add, if she does have issues, do not be afraid to call 112, the equivalent of 911, for an ambulance. That will bring trained people quickly, and they will know where to go from there.

Emergency Services are a public service (like fire or police) and do not incur the high costs seen in the US, even possibly at comparatively little or no cost.

I agree on travel insurance, if you have a known condition, it only makes sense, and while Naxos is large enough to have a well equipped hospital, relocation to a larger hospital (in Athens?) would not be out of the question.

Unlike other islands, Naxos has a large enough permanent population that it has its own school system, "gymnasium" (high school), AND a hospital... clearly shown on maps. With major tourism, I am sure that the hospital is accustomed to dealing with emergencies like asthma attacks. But why ask us, before dong some easy homework? You could google Naxos hospital and get an email & inquire. If you also have reserved rooms a Studios Kalergis, you could inquire via email for their information (however, right now, High Season is beginning to Peak, & they'll probably be rushed off their feet). I have always found my Greek hotels/pensions to be very helpful in this kind of inquiry.

After you've cleared that up, and eased your anxieties, please come back to discuss your proposed itinerary. As RS Forum viewers know, I'm one of the longest-standng, most devoted Naxophiles... in my 13 trips I've stayed there 14 times haha. Of course alas, the world has discovered it, as you know, but going in May you'll miss the bigger crowds.

My concern is with your ambitious list of day-trips, which could mar your experience greatly... and some of which are not even possible. There IS an excursion to Mykonos-Delos ... where you get about 2 hours on Delos, then 3 hours on Mykonos; recommended vessel HMV Alexander. However this is a Looong day, (830am-7:30pm w a 3+ sea trip each way) ... too stressful for 2 yr old, you'd need to get a babysitter instead. A day-trip to Antiparos is possible but VERY abbreviated... you couldn't get there unti nearly noon, and take a 10pm back. Again, hard on a baby, and you wouldn't see much. And a daytrip to Sifnos or Amorgos is out of the question.... a bit ferry-research will show why.

Instead, I would advise cuttng back on your ambitious "to see" list... Perhaps devote 7 days to Naxos, then 6 days to Sifnos ... my #2 faavorite Cycladic island. It's not easy -- you'd probably have to ferry to Paros & change to the 2x week Big ferry to Sifnos. Unlike Naxos, in both SIifnos or Amorgos, because of baby, I'd recommend car rental for at least part of your stay. Going in May, I usually stay up in the beautiful hill-villages, and bus to one of seveal lovely beaches, but because of baby, you might wish to stay on or near beach .. I have good suggestions (IF you book far far ahead -- the best choices fill up v early).

Finally -- be prepared for compromises. Remember when YOU had toddlers... what a challenge it was to manage vacations! Many ways to prepare (including, getting a toddler accustomed to babysitters!!), and being resigned to a shorter daily agenda

Thank you everyone for all the information and great advice. I'll be sure to look into travel insurance as well as make note of the 112 emergency services number, keep the local pharmacy in mind and scout out the route to the local hospital.

I really appreciate hearing about your experiences because as KD points out, medical systems do vary. When we were in Paris, I had assumed that the well-known American Hospital would have been the best place to take our granddaughter. A family friend had been treated there recently with breathing problems after taking a tour of the catacombs and was very happy with his experience there. However, it turns out that the American hospital does not have an emergency room for children and had we gone there by taxi in the middle of the night, they would have turned us away, much like KD's experience in Rennes and sent us instead to Necker Hospital (Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades) on the other side of town. I live in San Francisco and can't imagine any ER in town turning away a child but it sounds like France operates under a different system. Another thing I learned is that in the future, when we travel to a foreign country where we don't speak the language (my high school and college French simply doesn't cut it), we will be staying at a hotel instead of an Airbnb in case our grand daughter should need medical help. I actually did go to the local pharmacy for help. They were wonderful and gave me the phone number of SOS Medecins, a private medical service that speaks English and also makes house calls. When I tried calling the number, I couldn't get past the French recording. Fortunately a French woman who was shopping at the pharmacy offered her help but even she couldn't get past the French recording to connect with an English-speaking person. She even tried using her own phone to make a call. It was she who also told me about Necker Hospital for children. It's a kindness that you never forget.
Janet - you have no idea how many notes I have that begin with: Janet at RS recommends... I'm glad to hear your suggestion about splitting the time between Naxos and Sifnos. I was thinking that Milos might be an option as well. Thanks for your offer to help with an itinerary once I wrangle reservations at Studios Kalergis and lock into a decent air fare.

Many thanks again, everyone. Safe and happy travels.

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Your May trip sounds great, but I can’t begin to explain the secret sense of satisfaction I get when I travel in September as a retired teacher. After so many years of limited windows for travel, treat yourself to a trip in September as well.

Adrienne, a few points, as you begin your far-in-advance planning (yay for you)

• You mention retiring in MAY ... it hope this does not mean you will be waitiing til June to travel. Mid-may would be much better, if possible, because less hot (global warming!), and yet the water is OK for swimming... and while everything's open, it's not that crowded yet.

• MILOS? I advise not -- it's been discovered by the Instagram Mob and Selfie-World. Prices & crowds are up, charm is down. Best thing about Milos is a boatride circling (or, better half-circling) the rim of the island... and with a toddler, that would be not blissful but awful. And not that much easier to access from Naxos, than Sifnos is. Am also not sure about hospital services either.

In fact, by "going down the rabbit hole," I wonder whether there are any Cyclades islands byond Naxos to recommend, for those whose child may need emergency help. This article - https://www.tovima.com/travel/the-greek-islands-where-you-pray-not-to-get-sick/ -- explains the problem. Other articles write about new Sifnos incentives to attract/retain MDs ... with indications that its pediatrician may be leaving. Hmmm. Syros, a big "Business-Center" island, 90% Greek visitors, probably well-stocked... but not the vibe you want.

Have you looked into NAFPLIO?? I bet not ... yet it's got everything you need, and a lot more beside. 2.5 hours away frm Athens on a modern highway -- yet feels like a world away. Its Old Town is THE most gorgeous Old Town in Greece .... yet it's at the tip of a peninsula, surrounded by the sea, so you get an island feel. You can stay 20 minutes away on a great beach (ask me about places to stay)... and enjoy the history & beauty of Nafplio AND surrounding landmark Ruins. This NOncommercial website tells ALL you need to know -- click Every Link - http://www.visitnafplio.com/ Especially click beaches and walks/strolls. At the edge of the Old Town area, right across a "dividing street" is a lovely town park w childrens playground, filled with local famiiies. And Nafplio is a cultural center, college nearby, museums, a marble-paved town center where kiddies ride trikes afer dinner. Nafplio has it all, for families like yours. On my first Greek trip, an American artist advised me to spend my last 3 days in Nafplio, I knew nothing about it, she said "you'll thank me" ... and each of the 7 return vsits I made, I said Thank you Angela!

Another Nafpliofi\phile, "Stanbr" has been kind enough to photo some highlights --
https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitnafplio/sets/72157626483407223/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094108982/

An itinerary would go like this -- fly into ATH (pick flights that arrive between 9am - noon, or else you'll waste a whold day/night). Take domestic flight to NAXOS for 6 days. Fly back (40 mins)in AM to ATH, pick up rental car, drive leisurely to NAfplio area for 5 days... return to Airport area (i can suggest best places to stay) the night before homebound flight.

I agree about Naufplio-it is quiet and beautiful.

Thank you, Carol for the retirement wishes. I look forward to better weather (we were all in Paris during the terrible heatwave last month) and fewer crowds. Cala, you are so right. From Stanbr's photos I can see that Nafplio is a beautiful Greek town. I hope it won't be overrun with tourists in late May/early June next year. Janet, thank you for your advice about everything. I really appreciate your expertise and vast knowledge. I was considering Milos because a good friend of my son has family from Milos and they highly recommended it. That was about three years ago so maybe things have changed. Nafplio is gorgeous and looks perfect for family travel. A good beach is important to us so I'll do more research on that. If my grown children want something more adventurous in the way of hiking, etc they can go off to Amorgos, etc on their own for a few days and I'll be happy to stay back in Nafplio with my granddaughter. Many thanks again everyone. My retirement year will be infused with everything Greek and that's going to be just wonderful.

Adrienne, as someone who once counted 17 teachers in my family (and that was waay before my daughter grew up & became a dean), I am dellighted always to help teachers have a great greek trip! Since you are SO far-sighted in planning, I think you'll be able to get good-value, well-located accommodations for your group, IF you book by early fall (on the free-cancellation rate, thus NO risk).

I see by the 2027 Calendar that you are thinking probably about starting on either Friday-Sat May 21-22, or 27-28 ... becaue you also have to think about vacation llimitations for the still-working ones. If it is possible, I would recommend the earlier date, just for a bit cooler, a few less people, AND rental rates going up June 1. Plans also will involve best/located accoms to minimize driving, lugging of beach gear, and best walkability w small stroller (the foldable "cane" type are THE best for this age group). I have a list of best places for you to try booking, but no point until you share fairly-firm dates. We look forward to further details of your dream-lilst!

PS: Re Milos, and other isles, people who visit relatives Always have v different experiences, so you hve to discount that. As for hikes, your couple neednt go to Amorgos -- Naxos has MORE hiking trails than any other major Cycladic isle,... it's called "a hiker's dream" by THE cycladic trail-listin expert. An added bonus, is Naxos wide bus-network -- so u can easily get far inland to start a hike ... and when you're done u can gt to a bus road & flag one down (or, as I've done, keep a taxi-card in my pocket to call).. I've hiked on Amorgos & it has neither of these options. PS: Hiking galore outside Nafplio, amid ruins & vineyards.